Objective To explore the changes of corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) levels secreted by hypothalamus neuron in children with acute brain injury. Methods Fifty-one intracranial-infection children with brain injury and 11 intracranial-noninfection children with brain injury were chosen from pediatric intensive care unit of our hospital. Severities of their brain damage were evaluated by Glasgow score,and CRF level in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. Results There was no significant difference of Glasgow scores between the intracranial infection group and intracranial-noninfection group ( P = 0. 302 6 ), CSF CRF level of intracranial infection group was significantly lower than that of intracranial-noninfection group ( P ＜ 0. 01 ), serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels of intracranial infection group were significantly higher than those of intracranial-noninfection group ( P ＜ 0. 01,P ＜0. 001 ). As comparing to the children with Glasgow score of 6 ～ 7, the levels of CSF CRF and serum TNF-α and IL-6 in children with Glasgow score of 4 ～ 5 were significantly increased ( P ＜ 0. 05, P ＜ 0. 001 ).Conclusion CSF CRF level of the children with acute brain injury is changing, which may be concerned with the secretion of hypothalamus CRF neuron stimulated by TNF-α, IL-6 and hypoxia stress in children with brain injury.

Objective To summarize the clinical characters, diagnostic and therapeutic strategy of the cured patient with human H5N1 avian influenza pneumonia in mainland of China,and to provide effective experiences for the physicians to diagnose human avian influenza infection.Methods The clinical data of the cured patient with H5N1 avian influenza infection in China was analyzed.Results The patient was treated with short-term symmetrel and ribavirin for antiviral therapy companied with the lowdosage and long-term(4 weeks) glucocorticoid therapy.The CPAP assistant ventilation was used and the airway was kept unobstructed.The antibiotic was used to prevent and control the followed infection.The supportive treatment was applied to protect the organ′s function of the patient.The pathogenetic condition of the patient became better with the hemogram risen and the lungs pathological changes absorbed gradually.The chest CT reexamined at the 7th day of the hospitalized-term suggested that the left lung fibrosis started to be absorbed and it was obviously absorbed at the 16th day.The breath function and all the internal organs functions became better.The patient convalesced and left hospital at the 46th day.Conclusion In the human avian influenza infection,the pathogenetic condition may progress quickly after the pneumonia appears.The lung injury and lung fibrosis as well as the multi-organs dysfunction were emerged in the patient rapidly.The progression of disease can be controlled and the prognosis can be improved by the prompt and correct treatment.

Objectives To determine the risk factors of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in the pediatric intensive care unit and to explore effective strategies to reduce the morbidity of VAP. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 455 children admitted into the PICU of Hunan Children's Hospital from June 2014 to June 2017. The 455 children were divided into VAP group (n=43) and non-VAP group (n=412). The incidence of VAP was identified and risk factors were compared using the logistic regression analysis via SPSS 19.0 software.Results There were 311 males and 144 females with a median age of 11 months old (29 days to 9 years and 4 months). The incidence of VAP was 9.45% (43/455). Congenital laryngeal and trachea malformation with pulmonary infection was the first reason for the occurrence of VAP (23.3%), followed by congenital heart diseases with pulmonary infection (18.6%). Via univariate analysis, types of endotracheal intubation (χ2=45.33, P<0.001), duration of mechanical ventilation (Z=1.21, P=0.034), re-intubation (χ2=20.22, P=0.004), early usage of antibiotics (χ2=4.98, P=0.026),and methods of nutritional support(χ2=10.15,P=0.006)were identified as risk factors of VAP in the pediatric intensive care unit patients (P<0.05). Based on the multivariate logistic regression analysis, the followings were all independent predictor for VAP:types of endotracheal intubation(OR=1.87,95%CI:1.48~9.75),duration of mechanical ventilation(OR=1.14, 95%CI:1.08~2.35), re-intubation (OR=3.42, 95%CI:1.26~5.57), early usage of antibiotics (OR=4.55, 95%CI:2.21~8.77). Conclusions Many risk factors were found related with the occurrence of VAP. A comprehensive analysis of the host factors and iatrogenic factors should be conducted. Rational use of antibiotics and daily assessment of extubation might help reduce the incidence of VAP.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of pulmonary fungal infection and drug resist-ance of the pathogenic fungi among children with severe diseases in pediatric intensive care unit(PICU). Methods From July 2013 to June 2017,the complete clinical data,results of fungal culture and drug sensi-tivity of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in 112 critically ill children with pulmonary fungus infection of PICU hospitalization in our hospital were collected. Samples of peripheral venous blood were collected meantime, including blood routine examination,C reactive protein,G test and GM test. Results One hundred and twen-ty-six fungi were isolated from sputum samples in 112 critically ill children. Severe pulmonary infection (30. 36%,34/112) was the most common form of the primary diseases, the next were severe sepsis (16. 07%,18/112)and severe malnutrition(15. 18%,17/112). Classified based on age difference,the first one was ＜1 year old (43. 75%,49/112),the second one was 1 to 3 years old(29. 46%,33/112). The fun-gal strains were predominantly Candida albicans (61. 90%) and Candida tropicalis (16. 67%),among the infectious cases 14 were diagnosed as mixed infection. Two cases of 3 cryptococcal infectious children were HIV infection,another one was malignant tumor,Cryptococcus was cultured in both sputum,pleural effusion and cerebrospinal fluid. The drug resistance rate of fluconazol in 126 strains of fungi was 12. 70%,the rate of itraconazole was 7. 14%. Generally,the fungi cultured were with very low resistance to 5-fluorocytosine,vori-conazole and amphotericin B. However,the strains of Aspergillus fumigates,Candida kruse,Candida parapsi-losis and Cryptococcus were highly resistant to fluconazol and itraconazole,but with very low resistance to 5-fluorocytosine and amphotericin B. Conclusion Candida albicans is the main pathogenic fungus of pulmo-nary fungal infection among children in PICU,and we could choose voriconazole and amphotericin B as treat-ment of critically ill children with pulmonaty fungal infection.

Objective To explore the role and effectiveness of flexible fiberoptic brochoscopy ( FFB) in critically ill children with continuous invasive respiratory support. Methods From July 2014 to June 2017,135 critically ill children with severe pneumonia had received continuous invasive respiratory sup-port and undergone FFB in the pediatric intensive care unit( PICU) of our hospital. These patients were en-rolled into the therapy group. Another 104 severe pneumonia patients who had not received FFB were enrolled into the control group. Clinical characteristics of both groups were collected and compared. Results No sig-nificant differences were detected in patients′gender, age, PCIS, usage of antibiotics, and the levels of CRP and PCT assayed at the time of admission to PICU between the therapy group and control group(P>0. 05). The positive rate of bacteria culture of the bronchoscopic lavage was 78. 52％( 106 cases ) in the therapy group,and it was significantly higher than that in the control group(60. 58％,63 cases) (χ2 =5. 681,P <0. 005). For 106 cases in the therapy group,117 bacteria strains were identified,while there were 72 bacteria strains found in 63 cases with positive bacteria culture in the control group. Gram negative bacteria were the most common type,followed by Gram positive bacteria. The third most common pathogenic microbes were fungi,with a significantly higher frequency in the therapy group. No significant differences were found in PaO2 and oxygenation index between both groups before FFB. However,in a half hour after FFB,the PaO2 and oxygenation index significantly increased in the therapy group,and higher than those in the control group (P<0. 005). The levels of CRP and PCT assayed before and the first day after FFB were not significantly changed(P>0. 05). But the levels of CRP and PCT in the therapy group significantly decreased in the third day after FFB,and more than those in the control group. Furthermore,duration of invasive respiratory sup-port,and the stay of PICU were significantly shorter in the therapy group(P<0. 005). Conclusion FFB can play an important role in the collection of pathogenic microbes. It also achieves better results in the treatment of severe pneumonia for children in PICU. Therefore,it is worthwhile to be recommended as a safe and feasi-ble intervention in PICU.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of bronchoscopic lavage in children with severe adenoviral pneumonia.Methods:Patients with severe adenovirus pneumonia who were admitted to ICU department of Hunan Children′s Hospital for bronchoscopy were collected from February to June 2019 and divided into lavage group( n=36) and non-lavage group( n=15) in line with whether lavage was performed.Their results, namely, bronchoscopic diagnosis, blood gas analysis before and 2 hours, 24 hours and 48 hours after bronchoscopy, improvement time of clinical symptoms(fever and pulmonary moist rales), the positive rate of pathogen detection and mortality rate, main vital signs such as heart rate, respiratory rate, mean arterial pressure and bronchoscopy-related complications were recorded before and 1 hour, 2 hours and 24 hours after bronchoscopy. Results:A total of 51 children were collected, all of whom suffered from endobronchitis.More secretions were observed in the airways of 36 patients in the lavage group, and only a little or no secretions were observed in 15 patients in the non-lavage group.P/F value and PCO 2 at 2 hours, 24 hours and 48 hours after treatment in the lavage group were improved comparing to those before treatment and were superior to those in the non-lavage group( P<0.05). P/F values at 24 hours and 48 hours after treatment in the non-lavage group increased and PCO 2 decreased at 48 hours after treatment( P<0.05). The thermal duration, time to resolution of moist rales in the lungs in the lavage group were shorter than those in the non-lavage group( P<0.05). The mortality rate in the lavage group was lower than that in the non-lavage group[2.8%(1/36) vs.26.7%(4/15), P<0.05]. The positive rate of pathogen detection in lavage group was higher than that in non-lavage group[55.6%(20/36) vs. 20.0%(3/15), P<0.05]. There was no significant difference in heart rate, respiratory rate, and mean arterial pressure at each time point before and after bronchoscopic treatment( P>0.05). Associated complications were 11 cases of intraoperative transient hypoxemia, four cases of bronchial mucosal bleeding, and one case each of postoperative hypoxemia, intraoperative hypertension and hypotension.There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups( P>0.05). Conclusion:Bronchoscopic lavage, in treating children with severe adenovirus pneumonia, may improve clinical symptoms, respiratory function, and rate of pathogen detection, reduce mortality, and is effective and safe.

Objective:To investigate interleukin (IL)-36 expression in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG), and to study the modulatory function of IL-36 on regulatory T cells (Tregs) and Th17 cells in MG patients.Methods:Fifty-one MG patients (MG group) and 25 healthy controls (control group) were enrolled in this study in Xinxiang Central Hospital between July 2016 and August 2021. Peripheral blood was collected. Plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated. Plasma IL-36α, IL-36β, IL-36γ, IL-36RA, IL-35, and IL-17 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The percentages of Tregs and Th17 cells were measured by flow cytometry. Forkhead box protein P3 (FoxP3) and retinoid-related orphan receptor gamma t (RORγt) mRNA expressions were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction. PBMCs or purified Tregs from MG patients were stimulated with recombinant IL-36β (5 ng/ml). Changes of Tregs and Th17 cell percentages, IL-35 and IL-17 secretions, FoxP3 and RORγt mRNA expressions, as well as immunosuppressive activity of Tregs were analyzed.Results:There were no statistically significant differences of IL-36α, IL-36γ, or IL-36RA between the control group and the MG group (all P>0.05). IL-36β level was notably higher in the MG group compared with the control group [(73.43±13.91) pg/ml vs (60.91±12.65) pg/ml, t=3.79, P<0.001]. Treg percentage [(4.67±1.33)% vs (6.32±1.81)%, t=4.48, P<0.001], IL-35 [(50.06±7.93) pg/ml vs (65.37±8.90) pg/ml, t=7.59, P<0.001] and FoxP3 mRNA expression (1.03±0.14 vs 1.57±0.46, t=7.78, P<0.001) was lower, while Th17 cell percentage [(1.05±0.15)% vs (0.94±0.21)%, t=2.61, P=0.011], IL-17 [(40.61±13.13) pg/ml vs (33.09±11.48) pg/ml, t=2.44, P=0.017] and RORγt mRNA expression (1.26±0.16 vs 1.03±0.13, t=6.08, P<0.001) was higher in the MG group ( P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences of above indices between different genders, onset ages, afflicting with thymoma, or different Osserman types (all P>0.05). There were no statistically significant correlations between above indices and quantitative myasthenia gravis (QMG) score (all P>0.05). Recombinant IL-36β stimulation did not affect PBMCs proliferation in MG patients ( P=0.248), and reduced Tregs percentage [(3.05±0.66)% vs (4.18±1.07)%, t=4.23, P<0.001], IL-35 secretion [(48.12±10.93) pg/ml vs (56.96±13.73) pg/ml, t=2.36, P=0.023] and FoxP3 mRNA expression (0.99±0.17 vs 1.18±0.13, t=4.01, P<0.001), but did not affect Th17 cell percentage, IL-17 secretion or RORγt mRNA expression (all P>0.05). Recombinant IL-36β stimulation inhibited immunosuppressive activity of Tregs, which presented as enhanced cellular proliferation [(0.83±0.12)×10 5vs (0.69±0.15)×10 5, t=3.02, P=0.005] and reduced IL-35 secretion [(28.71±10.08) pg/ml vs (37.12±10.47) pg/ml, t=2.39, P=0.023]. Conclusion:Increased IL-36β contributed to the regulation of Tregs/Th17 cell balance probably through inhibition of Tregs function in MG patients.